The temperature outside was freezing and the heat was broken, but worshippers packed the pews at Iglesia de Dios anyway, singing and praying, many with children on their laps.

The noon service was his third of the day, but Jose Rodriguez seemed more energetic than ever. The founder of Nashville's first Hispanic megachurch shed his coat, clapping and swaying near the band, raising his hands to heaven. Next year, he'll lead his flock of 2,000 from its church building on East Trinity Lane to a 25-acre site three miles away.

On the other side of the city, four vest-wearing attendants directed the stream of traffic from Nolensville Pike into parking for Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church. As though he couldn't wait another minute, a man dropped to his knees and began praying in the pew nearest the entrance as church quickly filled to its 1,200-person capacity.

Two years ago, Our Lady of Guadalupe was a Spanish-speaking mission attached to an English-speaking church. On Dec. 12, it became the first all-Hispanic parish in the state, with 550 families worshipping there.

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